Kirsten Hillman
Kirsten Hillman is a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Canada’s ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2026, after first serving as acting ambassador in 2019.
Kirsten Hillman is a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Canada’s ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2026, after first serving as acting ambassador in 2019. She was the first woman to hold the post and previously worked on Canada’s trade policy and major international negotiations.
Early life and education
Hillman is described in available sources as Winnipeg-born and as having studied at the University of Manitoba and McGill University. Source material also notes that she practised law before entering senior public service roles.
Career in trade and diplomacy
Before becoming ambassador, Hillman worked in Canada’s trade- and negotiations-related roles, including as assistant deputy minister for trade agreements and negotiations and as chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. She also held diplomatic and legal posts in Washington and Geneva.
Ambassador to the United States
Hillman became acting ambassador in 2019 and was formally appointed ambassador in 2020. She served during a period that included trade tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and bilateral cooperation on Canada–U.S. relations.
Public profile and later career
Hillman was widely noted as the first woman in the post and as a senior Canadian trade and foreign-policy official. By 2026, sources reported that she had stepped down and taken on a fellowship at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
Key facts
- Hillman was appointed Canada’s ambassador to the United States in March 2020 after serving as acting ambassador from 2019.
- She was the first woman to hold the post of Canadian ambassador to the United States.
- Before her ambassadorial appointment, she served as deputy ambassador in Washington, D.C., from 2017 to 2019.
- She held senior trade-policy roles in the Government of Canada, including assistant deputy minister for trade agreements and negotiations.
- She was Canada’s chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Hillman is directly relevant to Canada as a senior public servant and diplomat who represented Canada in its most important bilateral relationship with the United States, while also shaping major Canadian trade policy and negotiations.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kirsten Hillman?
Was Kirsten Hillman the first woman ambassador to the United States for Canada?
What did Kirsten Hillman do before becoming ambassador?
What major trade negotiations was she involved in?
When did Kirsten Hillman stop being ambassador?
Where did Kirsten Hillman study?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsten_HillmanSupports: Ambassadorial tenure, first woman in the role, acting ambassador appointment, and reported 2026 departure.
- Global Affairs Canada — https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/podcasts-transcript-balados-transcription-ep55.aspx?lang=engSupports: Appointment as ambassador, role as first woman in the post, and senior trade-negotiation responsibilities.
- Office of the Prime Minister of Canada — https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/26/prime-minister-announces-canadas-ambassador-united-statesSupports: Formal appointment as Canada’s ambassador to the United States and prior acting ambassador role.
- United States Energy Association — https://usea.org/profile/kirsten-hillmanSupports: Biography including deputy ambassador role, trade-policy background, and education.
- Public Policy Forum — https://ppforum.ca/ppf-media/kirsten-hillman-2026-testimonial-dinner-award-honouree/Supports: 2017 Washington posting, appointment as ambassador, role in NAFTA/USMCA-related work, and later fellowship.
- LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-hillman-01114910aSupports: Employment timeline, ambassadorial dates, and current fellowship role.